Sewing With Kids: 20 Projects to Make Together
In this post, we're sharing our favorite projects for sewing with kids! And the projects are arranged by age so you can engage even the youngest children with sewing before they're ready to use a sewing machine. From coloring to making full-sized beginner quilts, by the end of this post you'll have a great starting place for sewing with kids.
Before you start, take a look at our Top 10 Tips for Sewing With Kids to learn about strategies to spark interest in quilting along with important safety information.
Now keep reading for twenty different sewn projects to make with kids of any age, including three new super simple project tutorials!
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Sewing With Kids 0-2: Spark Their Interest Early
While you won't technically be sewing with kids this young, the projects below are designed to help the youngest children become familiar with quilts — how they look, how they're made, and how they can be a part of making one before knowing how to sew.
Kids 0-2 Project Idea: Printable Quilt Pattern Coloring Pages
Print out our free quilt coloring pages for your kiddos! Because children in this age range aren't well known for coloring within the lines, you'll have a different goal. So, a focus on giving them fun quilt shapes to color helps them gain exposure to quilts in their earliest years.
Trending patterns!
Memory making: Consider turning one of their quilt coloring pages into a real quilt! Use the colors they chose, or layout blocks to align with where they scribbled with specific colors. Also, it's very exciting for kids to see their artwork come to life!
Kids 0-2 Project Idea: Use Kids' Artwork to Make a Quilt
Steps to do with kids: Give your kids paper and markers and have them create some art.
Steps to do yourself: Follow this tutorial - How To Make a Quilt Using Kids’ Artwork, for the specifics on how to transfer their art into fabric for a future quilt.
Memory making: One of our best memory making tutorials, this quilt is sure to be a treasure for your kid, yourself, or anyone who receives it as a gift. Because, of course, having a quilt with fabric designed by a kid who you love is priceless!
Kids 0-2 Project Idea: Fabric Painting
Steps to do with kids: Using the tutorial instructions from DIY Fabric Painting: Safe for Your Quilts, mix the paint (this has the added kid benefit of being messy!). Then practice painting, and paint the fabric.
Steps to do yourself: Prewash the fabric, dry the fabric, and turn the fabric into a cute sewn project like our easy zipper pouch tuorial.
Memory making: If you're intimidated by getting fabric printed with a child's art on it, try fabric painting! Because kids are natural painters (as long as you can help them avoid mixing every color to make a blob of brown), you'll have a lovely and unique piece of fabric painted by a creative kid.
Kids 0-2 Project Idea: Print Fabric with Flowers
Steps to do with kids: Select flowers and choose flower placement on the fabric.
Steps to do yourself: Using the tutorial How To Print Fabric With Flowers, follow the rest of the tutorial.
Memory making: Choose flowers from your own garden! Kids can help pick the flowers and learn about botany while making their own artistic masterpiece. And if you don't have a garden, bring a child to a flower shop to choose flowers they want to use!
Sewing With Kids 3-9: Start Simple and Small
Around three years old, children can help with the simple parts of sewing like choosing fabric. While growing through this age range, they can begin simple and small sewn projects. In fact, I learned to sew at age six! My mom taught me basic hand sewing before moving on to projects on her sewing machine.
First, start by having them sit on your lap while you control the foot pedal. Then reduce your machine's speed as much as possible. And next, have them help you guide fabric through the machine by resting their hand on top of yours. Once you know that they're ready, you can give them more responsibilities and independence!
Kids 3-9 Project Idea: Giant Nine-Patch Quilt
Here's the first new tutorial in this post — a giant nine-patch quilt that can be made by even the youngest of quilters.
My daughter came up with this quilt entirely on her own. When playing with some of my fat quarters, she laid them out on the ground. I noticed she was matching them up with her favorite My Little Pony toys so that each toy had their own coordinating fabric. When I asked her what she was doing, and she said, "I'm making a picnic quilt for my ponies!" And here's how you can make your own.
First, choose nine fat quarters. For kids, it can be helpful for them to narrow down their choices from a small pile like this bundle my daughter selected from.
Next, trim each fat quarter down to a 17" square. Lay the fabric out in a 3x3 grid. Here's a picture my daughter took of her layout 🙂
Sew the fabric together row by row using a 1/4" seam allowance, pressing each row's seams in opposite directions so they nest in the next step.
Last, sew the rows together and press open to reduce bulk.
And you're done! A five step quilt that's perfect for a kid.
Steps to do with kids: Choose fabrics, lay out the fabric, and sew squares together (if you're comfortable with them at a sewing machine).
Steps to do yourself: Trim fabric, pressing, quilting, and binding.
Memory making: When you're sewing with kids, it can be fun to let them take the lead with design choices. First, ask them questions that will help guide the fabric selection and make the quilt feel even more special. Maybe they want fabrics that all have their favorite animal, color, or cartoon character. Kids are much more likely to enjoy a quilt if it aligns with their interests!
Kids 3-9 Project Idea: Toy or Stuffed Animal Sleeping Bag
The second new simple tutorial in this article is a hit with any kid. These toy sleeping bags are customizable to their favorite toys. Because every kid on the planet loves hiding things, you know this will get lots of use!
First, measure the toy. The sleeping bag length should start 1" higher than the toy's head and wrap around its body up to the neck. The width should be 1" wider than the widest point of the toy. (The bunny is this post is 8" tall, plus 1", plus the feet to neck distance of 5" = 14" long. The width is 3 1/2" + 1" = 4 1/2".)
Next, cut two pieces of fabric (outer sleeping bag and inner sleeping bag) plus one piece of batting to the custom measurements.
Place the outer fabric on top of the bating, with the right side up. Quilt as desired.
Next, place the quilted outer fabric and batting right sides together on top of the inner fabric. Sew using a 1/4" seam allowance along all sides, leaving a 3" opening on one long side.
Clip the corners and turn the sleeping bag right side out. Using a 1/8" seam allowance, sew around all four sides, folding the unsewn fabric in to match the rest of the seams.
And last, fold the sleeping bag up to where the toy's neck would be. Sew using a 1/4" seam allowance along both long sides, backstitching at the beginning and end.
Steps to do with kids: Quilt outer fabric and bating, sew to inner fabric, and sew sleeping bag closed.
Steps to do yourself: Measure and cut fabric, turn sleeping bag right side out, and clip corners.
Memory making: Choose fabrics that relate to your child's favorite toy, and even make more than one sleeping bag if their toy is a set. Now they're ready for a toy slumber party!
Kids 3-9 Project Idea: Three-Seam Pillowcase
The final new tutorial in this post is a kid classic — a pillowcase. Pillowcases are a popular first project for kids to make. They are simple, quick, and can be customized to their interests. And in a huge win for a kid-friendly project, they only need to sew three straight lines! So to give you a sense of just how easy this project is, I once made three pillowcases with three kids of different ages in one hour.
Fabric requirements: 3/4 yard for the primary fabric and 1/2 yard for the accent fabric.
First, cut the fabric. Keeping the fabric folded selvedge to selvedge (the way it is cut off the bolt), cut the length down to 26". Next, still keeping the fabric folded, trim off both selvedges so that the fabric width measures 20" (when unfolded, it will be 40"). To cut the selvedges off, fold the fabric in half lengthwise, turn it sideways on the cutting mat, and trim the selvedges off at the 20" mark of the mat.
Next, place the accent fabric right side up and the primary fabric right side up on top of it. Align the two fabrics along a 40" side.
Clip the two fabrics together.
Roll the primary fabric up to meet the clips.
Fold the remaining 40" side of the accent fabric over the roll and align it with the other two layers of fabric. Next, clip in place, ensuring the clips only catch the three fabrics and do not catch any of the rolled fabric. Now the fabric will look like a tube with most of the primary fabric rolled inside.
Sew along the 40" clipped edge using a 1/4" seam allowance. Next, pull the rolled fabric out of the tube.
The accent fabric is now completely sewn onto the pillow case. And you only have two seams left!
Fold the fabric in half so the two raw edges of the accent fabric touch and clip the two remaining raw edges together.
Sew around the two raw edges of the pillowcase using a 1/4" seam allowance, and you're done!
Kids 3-9 Project Idea: Cloth Napkins Tutorial
Steps to do with kids: Follow our How To Sew Cloth Napkins and choose fabric, glue baste the corners, glue baste the napkin hem, and sew around the hem.
Steps to do yourself: Trim fabric, press the edges, trim corners, and miter the corners.
Memory making: Helping a child to make their own homemade gift for a loved one can help increase their confidence. So make a set as a gift for some other beloved grownups!
Kids 3-9 Project Idea: Apron Tutorials
Steps to do with kids: For the Kid's Apron Tutorial, kids can choose fabric.
Steps to do yourself: For the Kid's Apron Tutorial, grownups can cut fabric and sew the apron.
Memory making: When kids are really young, most of them love matching adults. So make a set! Use one of the adult-sized apron tutorials we have available to make yourself an apron using matching or coordinating fabrics. Now you're ready to bake in style!
Kids 3-9 Project Idea: Quilted Bookmarks
Steps to do with kids: Prepare the front fabrics, assemble the quilted bookmark front, and add the face.
Steps to do yourself: Using our Quilted Bookmarks Pattern: Animals Edition tutorial, prepare the template, trim the quilted top and prepare the back, and finish the bookmark.
Memory making: Use fabrics that coordinate with a child's favorite book or prints that help them use their imagination to tell a new story.
Kids 3-9 Project Idea: Doll Quilt Tutorial
Steps to do with kids: Read our Finding Inspiration Through Historical Fabric (Plus Bonus Doll Quilt Tutorial) article and choose fabrics, lay out blocks.
Steps to do yourself: Cut fabric, make blocks (note that for younger children, making a doll quilt using jus squares of fabric helps them be involved more), sew blocks and rows together, quilt and finish.
Memory making: If the doll is a historical character, use this project to each about quilt history. Take inspiration from the doll's clothing colors or bed to make something unique that coordinates with the doll's aesthetics.
Kids 3-9 Project Idea: Quilted Checkerboard Tutorial
Steps to do with kids: Use our Free DIY Quilted Checkerboard Tutorial to choose fabric, lay out the checkerboard, add borders (if they can do long straight stitches at a machine), and cut felt shapes.
Steps to do yourself: Cut fabric, chain piece the rows, sew rows together, press seams, and finish.
Memory making: Imagine this quilted project becoming a favorite on-the-go game. Carry it to doctors appointments, restaurants, or anywhere you expect to have a wait. You'll have an instant memory-making activity that helps a child to see how something they make can provide endless fun.
Kids 3-9 Project Idea: Reversible Ric-Rac Napkins Tutorial
Steps to do with kids: Follow the Reversible Ric-Rac Napkins Tutorial and choose fabric, sew the ric-rac to the fabric squares (depending on age), and topstitch the napkins to finish.
Steps to do yourself: Prewash and cut fabric, and turn the napkins right side out.
Memory making: Special napkins call for a special occasion! So make these napkins your special picnic or tea party napkins for an added touch of elegance that will make any kid feel special.
Kids 3-9 Project Idea: DIY Holiday Felt Garlands
Steps to do with kids: Follow the instructions in the DIY Holiday Felt Garlands sew either garland style.
Steps to do yourself: Cut felt.
Memory making: Talk about the child's wishes and hopes for the holiday season and the new year as they're sewing. Then, play their favorite holiday music while decorating your home with their creations!
Kids 3-9 Project Idea: Holiday Ornament Tutorials
Steps to do with kids: For the Folded Fabric Tree Ornament, kids can choose fabric, create the first layer, and create layers B-F
Steps to do yourself: For the Folded Fabric Tree Ornament, grownups can cut fabric, pin the final layer, and finish the tree ornament.
Memory making: Make it a tradition! There are several Suzy Quilts ornament tutorials. So each year, try making a new handmade ornament together. And document your process or write notes to the child each year that are stored with the ornaments. When they grow up and have their own Christmas tree, give them all the ornaments they made as a child!
Sewing With Kids 10 and Over: Make a Quilt!
Once most kids turn 10 years old, they're ready to make a full quilt using a pattern! In fact, Suzy learned how to quilt at age 15 under the guidance of a friend's mother who became her quilt teacher and mentor. Here are some beginner-friendly patterns that are great introductions for sewing with kids!
Kids 10+ Project Idea: Maypole Quilt Pattern
Memory making: Maypole is the most popular quilt pattern in our catalog for good reasons. It's easy, fast, and only requires five fabrics. So have a special Maypole weekend! Take the child you're sewing with to the quilt shop to choose fabrics, help them safely cut the fabric, and piece the quilt together. And consider using fabrics that coordinate with their bedroom colors!
Kids 10+ Project Idea: Adventureland Quilt Pattern
Memory making: Adventureland is one of our most loved beginner-level patterns. Kids will have fun choosing a jelly roll and laying out the colors the way they like!
Kids 10+ Project Idea: FREE Squared Quilt Pattern
Memory making: Use old shirts, sheets, or treasured used textiles for the center squares of the Squared quilt pattern. Depending on the upcycled material, this may make this pattern more challenging, but if the older child you're sewing with is up for it, this quilt could become a treasured heirloom.
Kids 10+ Project Idea: Triangle Jitters Quilt Pattern
Memory making: Use old bedsheets to make Triangle Jitters, just like how Suzy used an IKEA duvet cover! This is a wonderful way for a child to remember their little kid bedding even as they start to grow up.
Kids 10+ Project Idea: Fishing Net Quilt Pattern
Memory making: While most kids won't have the technical skill or even the patience for a hand appliqué project that covers an entire quilt, you could help a child make the Fishing Net quilt and then turn it into a play mat using our free templates on your own. Make this as a meaningful joint gift for a younger sibling or cousin!
Start Sewing With Kids Now!
Now that you have age-appropriate projects for sewing with kids, it's time to get started! Which of our kid-friendly sewing projects will you make first?
Be sure to use #SuzyQuiltsPatterns and tag @suzyquilts on Instagram so we can see what you make!
Great collection of projects! I feel a tiny sleeping bag is in our future…
Thanks so much! My kid has four tiny sleeping bags already 🙂
Awesome, such inspiration! New twists on older ideas keep it fresh! I love the fabric combinations.
Thank you!
I’m so glad that you’re feeling inspired by this post!
Oh my gosh this has so many good ideas in one place. The My Little Pony playmat! And I have oohhhhed and ahhhhhed plenty over the American Girl quilts, but really I can’t get enough. Julie is the only doll I saved of my daughter’s but she is getting a blanket to help her feel cozy in storage! (total aside, I had not looked at this initially because just dropped youngest in college and missing those young days, but so glad I did.)
Oh wow, what timing! I’m really glad you enjoyed the article, Kat. Julie is such a cool doll — a quilt for her would be so bright and fun!
So much inspiration in this article! I am so excited to sew with my grandies when they’re a wee bit older! I love the idea of giving our 2 year old the quilt coloring pages – wonderful way to introduce her and familiarize her with all the lovely shapes and patterns! Thanks Laura!